“R” you ready?

Dr. Tom learned that a lot of great career advice begins with the letter “R.”I hope this list will prepare you for any future career challenges.

1.Recognize – Be more self-aware.Acknowledge that where you go in life is up to you.Drive your career.Take the initiative to execute daily micro-goals that will move you forward.List 5 micro-goals you will do you this month.Be responsible for your own success.

2.Recommit – Make your career development a top priority.Return to being more self-disciplined.Avoid slipping into old habits that hold you back from realizing your potential.Recommit your ideas and goals to writing.What is the cost if you don’t recommit?

3.Rediscover – Get back to the authentic you.Make sure your work is the full expression of you.Stop doing things merely to please others.Put a renewed focus on you and what you really want out of life.Be specific.Get it right.What were you meant to do?

4.Reenergize – Take time out to relax and have fun.Pursue hobbies that get your mind off your career.Escape into something that restores your batteries.Release tension with exercise.Redirect yourself toward activities that fill your mind, body and spirit.

5.Reevaluate – List what is going right and what needs to change.Ask yourself the hard questions.What do I need to start doing?What do I need to stop doing?What do I need to do more of or do less of?What do I need to do differently?

6.Reflect – STOP what you are doing, take a time out and turn down the noise in your life.Reexamine your personal and professional goals.Write down a list of 5 short-term goals and 5 long-term goals.Share them with your Dream Team.Ask them for advice.

8.Rehearse – Practice, practice, practice are the three rules of interviewing.Google my article entitled, “Perfecting Your Elevator Speech” to learn more on how to improve your 30 second commercial.Have a short list of questions for networking.Be ready.

9.Reinvent – Learn when it is time to rebrand yourself.Inventory your VIPS (Values, Interest, Personality Traits and Skills) through some careful self-assessment.Match those to 5 to 10 possible jobs and then take incremental action each day.Ask for guidance.

10.Repeat – Act, Act, Act.Double your networking efforts.Say at least one positive affirmation each day when you wake up.Overcome roadblocks by continually requesting help.Ask yourself, “What is the one thing I need to continually repeat to reach my goals?”

11.Reprioritize – Plan, Plan, Plan.Understand clearly what your employment goals are.Tweak and adjust.Avoid every stimulating activity that comes your way.Cut through the clutter.Focus on what needs to get done versus what you would like to get done.

12.Reprogram – Change your attitude.Erase the tape.Retrain your brain from negative thoughts that don’t serve you toward optimistic ones.Keep focusing forward.Spend less time looking back at the rear view mirror and more time looking through the windshield.

14.Research – Gather information on opportunities and connections.Conduct a Google search on the top 5 jobs that interest you the most.Read about the advantages and disadvantages of each and then write down your thoughts and ideas.Discuss with your Dream Team.

15.Resilient – Persist, persist, persist.Acknowledge that managing your career development will be one of the biggest challenges in adulthood and that you CAN do it!Resolve that you will not give up no matter what.Run your search with endurance.

16.Respect – Respect other’s time when networking.Hold yourself in high self-esteem.Empower yourself.You deserve success!!!Life is not a dress rehearsal, and you can’t afford to get this wrong.Respect yourself.Remind yourself of your strengths to move forward.

17.Respond – Follow-up on any leads, email, LinkedIn Connection requests, job postings and invitations for networking.Send thank you notes after you interview.Do the right thing.Resist the temptation to respond negatively.

18.Resume – Develop a chronological resume as well as a skills-based resume.Your resume is a critical tool in your search and it needs to be polished and easy to read.Understand the employer’s goals as you restructure your resume.Get it critiqued by a pro.

19.Review – Pause to take a look at your presentation, resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile and professional dress to make sure you are creating the best first impression.Chart the progress you are making on achieving your goals.What are you learning at this stage?

20.Revise – Tailor your resume and cover letter to meet the specific needs of the job and employer which you have discovered from your reading and research.Make sure you bring multiple copies of your laser printed resume to any interview or career fair.